This water locked district has emerged as one of the major tourist destination of the country and is famous for its unique backwaters. The entire district is endowed with immense natural beauty. The sandy strip of land with Arabian Sea to its west is woven by lagoons and an array of rivers, canals, and lakes ideal for boat cruise. The prominent rivers are Achankovil, Pamba and Manimala.The Vembanad lake covering an area of 204sq.km stretches from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake with an area of 59.57sq.km extends to both the districts of Alappuzha and Kollam, these lakes are widely used for the inland water transport of cargo and passengers in the region.It has been an important centre of Christianity, since 1st century, as it is said that the at Kothamanglam in Cherthala taluk, was one of the seven churches founded by St.Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.
Alappuzha has been an important trading and commercial centre since time immemorial. It is
Also a major centre of coir and carpet industry. The economy of the district is based on agriculture and marine products.
It is also referred as the “Venice of the East” and has emerged as a major tourist destination due to the amazing backwaters.Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and the coir industry.
Close to Ambalapuzha, the village of Karumadi is famous for its Karumadi Kuttan, a black granite figure of Buddha said to belong to the nineth or tenth century.
Built by Marthanda Varma, this palace at Kartikapally in Kayamkulam is famous for its
Mural depicting the story of Gajendramoksham.Dating back to the 18th century, this exquisite piece of art is one of the largest murals in Kerala.The palace Museum houses antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes.
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala of its wealth of paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam. This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to2 m below sealevel.Inland waterways which flow above land level are a amazing feature of this region.
These regions are wonders of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how of Kerala and remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland. Extensive areas of land have been reclaimed from the backwaters and are protected by dikes built all around. Here cultivation and habilitation are made possible four to ten feet below sea level. A leisurely cruise along the canals that surround these kayals is a memorable experience.
According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening
Ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal(sands of midnight).This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.
The beach is very beautiful and popular among domestic and international tourists. The pier which extends out into the sea, over 140 yrs old. The Vijaya Beach Park and the Seaview Park offers boating and swimming pool facilities.
The not-to-be missed spectacle in Alapuzzha is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which began in 1952 on the occasion of the visit of India’s first PrimeMinister,Jawaharlal Nehru to Alapuzzha.It is now a major event held on the second Saturday of every August and features the gigantic snake-boats of Kerala.Today the Boat Race has grown into Alappuzha’s single most important tourist event with boats being sponsored by different villages. Competition is severe as the boats with over 100 rovers in each race to finish to the accompaniment of rousing music.
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begins in July at Champakulam.This festival is
Known as “Moolam Vallamkali”.”Moolam” signifies malayalam Nakshtram Moolam of the month of Mithunan.
Situated in the heart of Alappuzha town, the presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Rajarajaeswari.The nine day “Navrathri” festival celebrated here is specially important.Colourful processions participated by nine elephants are held in the evening is witnessed by thousands of devotees.Several cultural programmes such as “Ottan thullal” are staged in the temple during this festival. Another festival celebrated by the temple is a one day “Thaipooyakavadi”.About fifteen kavadis take part in this spectacular procession which is presented during the evening
Built in the typical Kerala Architectural style, this temple is famous all over India for the “Palpayasam”, the daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans(Sorcerers)once every 12yrs.Paintings of the Dasavathram(the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) are on display on the inner walls of the Chuttambalam.Ottanthullal, a satiric art form originated by the poet Kunchan Nambiar was first performed on the premises of this temple.
This beautiful temple dedicated to the King of Serpents is located near Haripad on the Alappuzha-Kollam route on a panoramic site measuring about 16acres of thick green forest.It is a place of worship visited by large number of devotees from all over India.A two day festival is celebrated by the temple with much religious fervour.On the second day noon, the “Ezhunnallatu” (royal outing) ceremony is conducted when the idol of
“Nagaraja” is carried by the priestess and taken round the temple in a procession.A large crowd of devotees with “uruli” (vessel) and colorful parasols participate in it. The entire
Jungle-setting of the temple reverberates with the full-throated chanting in praise of the Serpent God. Another festival celebrated here is “Sivarathri” when special offerings and
Colorful procession forms the highlight.”Sarpakalam Pattu” is also performed as part of the festival. On the asterism “Ayilam” of each Malayalam month, the “Sarpakalam Pattu” is conducted. This ritual involves drawing the figure of the Serpent God on the floor using vegetable colours.After offering pojas, the holy design “Kalam” is wiped out.
Arthukal Palli known for the St.Sebastians Church established by Portuguese missionaries is near Sherthallai 22km north of Alappuzha.The feast of St.Sebastian is held here at every January.
One of the oldest churches in Kerala, the St.Marys church is believed to be one of the seven established by St.Thomas.The annual feast at this church falls on the 3rd Sunday of October every year. The feast of St.Joseph is celebrated on March 19th.
Chavara Bhavan is the ancestral home of the blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara.It is now a holy shrine and spiritual resort where thousands of devotees gather for prayer, receive favours and feel amply gratified. Here, a 250year old historically important beacon of light is preserved intact in its original and primitive form.
The “Kettukazhcha” festival at this temple drews large crowd of devotees. Processions of tall decorated structures on chariots, brightly decorated effigies of horses and bullocks and cultural performances make a spectacular pageant.
Established in 1810, the church is dedicated to St.George. It is believed that prayers and offerings at this church help to heal all mental disorders and other ailments. During the annual feast pilgrims from all parts of South India, irrespective of caste and creed, visit the church and seek the blessings of the saint.
